Synchrotron-based and globar-sourced molecular (micro)spectroscopy contributions to advances in new hulless barley (with structure alteration) research on molecular structure, molecular nutrition, and nutrient delivery

ABSTRACT

This paper aimed to review synchrotron-based and globar-sourced molecular infrared (micro)spectroscopy contributions to advances in new hulless barley (with structure alteration) research on molecular structure, molecular nutrition, and nutrient delivery in ruminants. It reviewed recent progress in barley varieties, its utilization for animal and human, inherent structure features and chemical make-up, evaluation and research methodology, breeding progress, rumen degradation, and intestinal digestion. The emphasis of this review was focused on the effect of alteration of carbohydrate traits of newly developed hulless barley on molecular structure changes and nutrient delivery and quantification of the relationship between molecular structure features and changes and truly absorbed nutrient supply to ruminants. This review provides an insight into how inherent structure changes on a molecular basis affect nutrient utilization and availability in ruminants.

KEYWORDS:

• Hulless barley
• molecular structure
• nutrient delivery
• alteration of carbohydrate traits

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful for the samples supplied by the Crop Development Center (University of Saskatchewan), Z. Niu's assistance for lab work and data analysis, funding support from Ministry of Agriculture Strategic Research Chair Program, Saskatchewan Agriculture Development Fund, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and Canada Growing Forward 2. The guidance from all committee members and fellow authors (David A. Christensen, John J. McKinnon, Aaron D. Beattie, College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan) is also acknowledged.